Can I Query Publishers Directly?

[@quentaron3869]

Love this! One of the reasons we want an agent on our publishing journey is to have a team of experts to guide us. We think it's hands down the best way to continue growing and refining the craft. After all, half the goal is to continue improving as a writer.

[@kenban8533]

Informative as always! It helps a lot to know more about the role of the agent and the complexity of what you do.

[@poetry-and-protest]

An important instance of when it is better to query a publisher directly rather than going through a literary agent: translators. There are many of us and literary agents generally don’t represent translators. Yet surely translation is an important part of the publishing world.

[@hotplotsandsynonyms]

A quick addition (since I didn't see this situation mentioned): A few years ago I did pitch an acquiring editor at Del Rey directly at a conference event and got a positive response. However, he requested my first 50 pages and said that he'd like to take a look at the manuscript and give feedback, but if he was interested in offering he would need me to get an agent to negotiate the contract/finalize the deal. So it's possible to pitch even big name publishers that don't do open calls in some circumstances, but it doesn't remove the value of an agent from the process. Also, James...I PROBABLY don't want an agent (going self-publishing) but DO watch your videos pretty religiously because you guys share exceptional knowledge about the industry. Even self-published authors need to be aware of publishing trends/agent challenges/industry opinions on writing trends/etc.

[@whitneylivingston5706]

My goal is to finish draft three of my manuscript by the end of this year and start looking for an agent early next year. I’ve been asked many times about publishing without an agent by friends and family and I tell them every single time I wouldn’t want to publish unless I have an agent because I have no clue about publishing.

[@Ruthie888]

It's just like the spec screenplay biz. Producers won't look at screenplays w/out an agent. You hate driving? That's when I can relax and get in a zone. Maybe it's b/c you live in NY. Good show. Thank you for your sharing your expertise.

[@BookEndsLiterary]

Definitely because it's NY! Haha

[@1ktales]

Short answer: Yes. XD Granted, if somebody is thinking agents take too long, they're in for a rude surprise when they attempt unagented submissions to publishers since you're going to wind up that much lower on the slush pile.

[@Beachwriter]

Please comment on major publishing houses paying “work for hire” rather than royalties-through an agent. I value your information.

[@JG-oh2rq]

Really love all the great advice, thank you! Only request maybe is that the audio be more equalized if possible? Sometimes during laughter the volume gets extra loud and scratchy, and is especially jarring with headphones.

[@jacksonhollingsworth6176]

Thank you for making this extremely informative channel! Agents do so much! Much respect for you both. Question: Are there times when self-publishing is the better option? I had planned to go towards traditional publishing but have concerns. I’m a pretty progressive person and I’m worried about being told to turn it down so my fiction will appeal to a more conservative audience, but I don’t want to sacrifice my beliefs. Also, I want to publish a series and worry about not being able to publish the whole thing the traditional route. Any thoughts? Thank you so much!

[@hotplotsandsynonyms]

I would love to hear the perspective of James or Jessica on this question (some traditional publishing professionals have a very negative view of self-publishing), but as someone who self-published, I can give you a bit of info. First, YES, there are times when self-publishing is the better option....FOR SOME WRITERS. It is very dependent on the author, the book, and sometimes the status of the publishing industry right then. However, it is VERY RARELY the right choice JUST because of your book content. Unless, of course, you happen to be in one of the genres that never really took off in traditional publishing but seems to work well self-published. Steampunk is the one that comes initially to my mind...it's not unheard of in trad publishing, but it doesn't seem to sell as well there as it does in self-publishing. I'm not sure anyone knows why. Secondly, and honestly most importantly, you're unlikely to get told to tone down your progressive viewpoints by an agent or editor. There are agents/editors for a large variety of book styles (from very conservative Christian books to some very progressive books), so it would just be a matter of finding someone who likes your vision, which is what everyone faces. I'd never say that no one has faced that response, but publishing is pretty diverse and as a rule, if it leans any way, it tends to lean more progressive than conservative, though not by much. The series question is one many of us struggle with. Traditional publishers WILL pick up a series from a debut author (more or less likely depending on your genre), and plenty of agents will pitch a series as readily as they'll pitch a stand alone (assuming it's the right genre for the length of series...a 7 book series of memiors probably isn't going anywhere). Personally, I don't think the concern over finishing the series is enough to abandon trad pub entirely. If that had been my only concern, I would have just pitched exclusively to agents willing to sell the books as a series. That has to be a personal decision, though. Self-publishing (when done well) is a LOT more expensive, and that limits your ability to finish the series in another way. Also, some people just don't have the time, money, drive, or skills to do the things necessary for a self-published book to succeed. My recommendation to people trying to decide is always to pitch the book traditional first. If you start getting consistent responses that are pushing the book in a direction you don't want to go, then reconsider what the best plan for the book is. You can always try Trad pub querying and then decide to self-publish. You really can't self-publish and then try to sell the same book to an agent or editor.

[@jacksonhollingsworth6176]

@@hotplotsandsynonyms Thank you, Chelsea! This was a really helpful response!

[@erikaromerowrites]

What are your thoughts on submitting to editors who like your pitches in pitch parties (and accept unagented submissions in this case)? I'm querying agents at the moment, so I don't know if I should hold off from submitting to these editors until I hear back from agents who I've queried. If I were offered a contract, I would go the route of asking for time to let the agents I've queried know about the deal. I've heard having an offer speeds up agent responses and increases the chances they'll want to rep you.

[@BookEndsLiterary]

It's definitely something to consider on a case by case basis but if you get an offer, we have a video on our channel about how to handle a publication offer!

[@fatima-purposefullybeautif5950]

Jessica i am writing a memoir and i submiited it to penguin in south africa because they accept unfinished work. I did this because, not only is it close to home, i wanted to see the kind of feedback i would get from my work. It is unlike anything i've read and that makes me nervous. I do love where your headspace is though and your comment in another video about how you could go off on a tangent about "Mrs" endeared me to you. When my manuscript is done i'm hoping to query you because i would love to have you as my agent.

[@jimmychurch9588]

I think the reason most people consider skipping agents and going straight to the publishers is because getting an agent is an extremely frustrating process.

[@carole5648]

How would I decide on which agent to query if I wrote a cozy mystery that i'm submitting, but i usually write fantasy? is this just a bad idea in general?

[@AndyJewett]

you guys rock1

[@cynthiaking5308]

I’m not sure if I asked this before, but what if you queried a manuscript and got plenty of rejections, so you rewrite, revise, and changed the title, what is the etiquette about resubmitting?

[@BookEndsLiterary]

Worst thing that can happen is they say no! I would just be up front that you've completely overhauled the book.

[@cynthiaking5308]

Thank you

[@nancythompson6425]

If I submitted to a publisher that only accepts referrals and they make an offer, should I contact one or more of my favorite agents and ask if they'd consider repping me and my manuscript? Are they likely to accept if there's already an offer on the manuscript? Do you have any other suggestions in this type of situation?

[@BookEndsLiterary]

We feel you should contact the agents, yes. We have a video on how to handle an offer of publication on our channel.

[@robblackwell2774]

Genuinely love your videos but the audio level difference between you two is jarring. Have you thought of adjusting this?

[@BookEndsLiterary]

Thanks! Yes, we have a few videos already recorded, but going forward this should be corrected!

[@StewartDell]

Just get a good entertainment attorney. Save you a lot of money.

[@melissaleigh-ann4050]

Can I query an unfinished project if I have a deadline to finish?

[@wellnessofmindandbody]

You cannot submit an unfinished project unless it's non fiction. That's why 15 months in, I still haven't submitted my historical novel ( have few chapters to go ) However, you can submit an unfinished project to novel competitions.

[@BookEndsLiterary]

We suggest finishing it first.